Cong turncoat Durg Singh adds spice to Khinvsar bypoll

Jaipur: Ahead of bypolls to seven assembly seats in Rajasthan, local Congress leader Durg Singh's decision to join the BJP is significant, considering his previous electoral performances in Khinvsar. Singh joined BJP on Friday.In the 2023 assembly polls, he contested as an independent candidate, while in 2013 and 2008, he represented the BSP. This move is perceived as an attempt to undermine the chances of RLP chief Hanuman Beniwal's wife, Kanika Beniwal.During the last assembly election, Singh garnered 15,872 votes, accounting for a 7.5% vote share. In that closely contested race, Beniwal managed to defeat BJP's Rewat Ram Danga by a slim margin of 2,059 votes. For the upcoming bypoll in Khinvsar, the BJP has once again nominated Danga as its candidate.Singh's performance in the 2013 elections was even more impressive as he secured second position with over 42,000 votes, translating to a 28% vote share. He came second in 2008 as well, securing over 34,000 votes, with a 26% vote share. In both 2013 and 2008, he was defeated by Hanuman Beniwal. The Khinvsar seat has been successively won by the Beniwal family since 2008. With the alliance between RLP and Congress falling apart, RLP is expected to find it tough to retain the seat. Durg Singh's entry will consolidate Rajput votes in favour of the BJP candidate, Danga, in addition to the Jat votes backing him.Congress nominated Ratan Chaudhary, wife of retired IPS officer Sawai Singh Chaudhary, from Khinvsar seat. Sawai Singh joined the BJP during the last assembly elections and resigned from the party on Wednesday. He contested against the RLP chief on the Congress ticket in 2018 from the seat.It is believed that Beniwal wanted the Congress to nominate Durg Singh from Khinvsar. However, state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra rooted for Ratan Chaudhary. Singh sought Congress ticket in previous election. However, he was ignored by the party.